Jonathan Nez (D) – AZ-02 House 2026

About

Jonathan Nez is the Democratic nominee for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District and a former president of the Navajo Nation. Born in Tuba City and raised in Shonto, he served as Shonto Chapter vice president, three terms as a Navajo Nation Council delegate, a Navajo County supervisor, Navajo Nation vice president from 2015 to 2019, and president from 2019 to 2023. He advanced from the uncontested Democratic primary on July 21, 2026, and his "Warrior Up" platform emphasizes water security, lower healthcare and living costs, rural infrastructure, and tribal sovereignty.

Biography sources 6

Positions on Key Issues

Positions of Jonathan Nez on key issues
Issue	Stance	Sources
Healthcare	Jonathan Nez says he would expand access to affordable healthcare, protect coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, lower out-of-pocket and prescription-drug costs, protect rural hospitals, and fund community health centers serving remote and underserved communities. He also supports fully funded rural mental-health and substance-use treatment programs and expanded healthcare support for veterans.	The Warrior Up Agenda for Arizona MoveOn endorses Jonathan Nez One-on-one with Arizona's 2nd Congressional District candidate Jonathan Nez
Economy	Nez's campaign says Arizona's economy should prioritize working families rather than billionaires and the wealthy. His agenda emphasizes lowering housing and utility costs, supporting small businesses and workers, and investing in long-term rural infrastructure, including support for farmers and ranchers.	The Warrior Up Agenda — Jonathan Nez for Congress
Climate/Energy	Nez's published campaign agenda does not state a specific climate or energy policy. It does emphasize protecting water security, building sustainable long-term rural infrastructure, and protecting communities from natural disasters, without specifying energy technologies, emissions targets, or climate legislation.	The Warrior Up Agenda — Jonathan Nez for Congress
Abortion & Reproductive Health	Nez's campaign states he is committed to "protecting the right to choose," and his platform emphasizes supporting Arizona families. He has been endorsed by pro-choice organizations, and in 2024 he campaigned in support of Arizona's Proposition 139, the ballot measure that established a constitutional right to abortion.	Congressional candidates debate housing, immigration Congressional candidate Nez attends Arizona Democratic Party hosted town hall
Immigration	Nez has said immigration is a pressing national concern and that previous bipartisan reform efforts were undermined, but he emphasizes that rural Arizona voters are more focused on local infrastructure such as water, electricity, and broadband. He has criticized incumbent Eli Crane's support for the SAVE Act and SAVE America Act, which would add proof-of-citizenship and voter ID requirements for federal elections.	Congressional candidate Nez attends Arizona Democratic Party hosted town hall Nez criticizes Crane on voting rights, housing The Warrior Up Agenda — Jonathan Nez for Congress
Civil Rights & Equality	Nez's campaign agenda explicitly calls for protecting voting rights and tribal sovereignty. The Human Rights Campaign PAC endorsed him as a pro-equality candidate in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District, citing its effort to elect candidates who will fight for LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms.	The Warrior Up Agenda — Jonathan Nez for Congress Human Rights Campaign Endorses a Slate of Pro-Equality Members and Candidates Up for Election in Key Competitive U.S. House Districts
Education	Nez supports protecting and investing in early-childhood education, particularly Head Start. In an August 3, 2026 campaign statement, he opposed reported plans to reduce or shift Head Start funding and said every child should have access to quality education, health, and nutrition; his campaign agenda also calls for supporting early-childhood education and childcare.	Jonathan Nez Defends Head Start Amid Proposed Cuts The Warrior Up Agenda
Election Policy	Nez’s campaign says he would protect voting rights and address corruption and money in politics. In a July 2026 interview, he criticized incumbent Eli Crane’s support for the SAVE Act and SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship and voter identification for federal elections, indicating opposition to those added requirements.	The Warrior Up Agenda — Jonathan Nez for Congress Nez criticizes Crane on voting rights, housing — Navajo Times
Local Issues	Nez says he would prioritize rural Arizona by seeking a fair share of water and bringing clean water to growing communities, expanding infrastructure, and addressing affordable healthcare. His campaign’s agenda also specifically calls for connecting Arizona communities, supporting farmers and ranchers, protecting water security, and protecting communities from natural disasters.	The Warrior Up Agenda — Jonathan Nez for Congress One-on-one with Arizona's 2nd Congressional District candidate Jonathan Nez

Review an issue

Healthcare

Jonathan Nez says he would expand access to affordable healthcare, protect coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, lower out-of-pocket and prescription-drug costs, protect rural hospitals, and fund community health centers serving remote and underserved communities. He also supports fully funded rural mental-health and substance-use treatment programs and expanded healthcare support for veterans.

Sources:

The Warrior Up Agenda for Arizona

MoveOn endorses Jonathan Nez

One-on-one with Arizona's 2nd Congressional District candidate Jonathan Nez

Choose another issue above to review the remaining researched positions.

No public position found: Firearms & Second Amendment, Foreign Policy, Tech & AI

Background

Career History

President 2019 – 2023

Navajo Nation

9th President of the Navajo Nation; oversaw the nation's COVID-19 response and worked on water rights for rural Arizona.

Vice President 2015 – 2019

Navajo Nation

9th Vice President of the Navajo Nation under President Russell Begaye.

Council Delegate 2007 – 2015

Navajo Nation Council

Represented the Oljato, Ts'ah Bii' Kin, Navajo Mountain, and Shonto chapters.

Vice President

Shonto Chapter, Navajo Nation

Early public service role as vice president of the Shonto Chapter.

Education

Northern Arizona University Bachelor of Science in Political Science

Northern Arizona University Master of Public Administration in Public Administration

Northland Pioneer College Attended

Top Donors

Raised approximately $3.5M in the 2026 cycle through July 1, 2026, with $1.7M from small-dollar contributions under $200 and $890K from contributions of $2,000+. Top donor states were Arizona ($390K), California ($350K), and New York ($220K); notable employer clusters include Robert W. Deutsch Foundation ($14K), IntraFi ($14K), Dragonfly ($11K), and Google ($7K). PAC and committee contributions totaled $213K, and the DCCC announced Nez raised $1M in Q1 2026 alone.

Sources

NEZ, JONATHAN MICHAEL - Candidate overview - FEC Jonathan Nez Donors | Local Candidates JONATHAN NEZ RAISES $1 MILLION IN Q1 TO TAKE ON ELI CRANE IN AZ-02 - DCCC Fundraising in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District - Quiver Quantitative National groups ramp up spending in rural AZ congressional district

Voting Record

Has not held legislative office. Served as President of the Navajo Nation from 2019 to 2023, where he worked with the Trump administration to expand water rights for rural Arizona, announced a designated cancer treatment facility at Tuba City Regional Medical Center, and led the Navajo Nation's COVID-19 response. His campaign platform emphasizes lowering healthcare costs, expanding rural healthcare access, protecting Medicaid, and reversing tariff policies that raise costs for Arizona families.

Sources

View full voting record Jonathan Nez runs for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District - AZ PBS One-on-one with Arizona's 2nd Congressional District candidate Jonathan Nez - ABC15

About this research

Data compiled from public sources and analyzed using AI. Last updated October 10, 2026. Visit candidate websites for the most current information.